February 6, 2019

Weekly World News Update

U.S. Downgraded; INF and Troops Withdrawals; Trump and Kim Meet Again; Power Struggle in Venezuela; Elections in El Salvador; Brexit Uncertainty; Pope Francis Makes Big Statements; U.S. Shutdown Global Effects

Quote of the Week

“Challenges to democracy in the United States have outsized effects beyond American borders. Other nations watch what is happening in the United States and take cues from its leaders’ behavior. The ongoing deterioration of American democracy will accelerate the decline of democracy around the world.”

-- Freedom House President Michael Abramowitz, speaking on Monday in regards to the latest annual edition of Freedom in the World 2019.

Freedom House Downgrades U.S.

"Democracy in Retreat: Freedom in the World 2019" Freedom House, February 4, 2019

Trump Pulls Out of INF

"The U.S. Is Withdrawing From a Nuclear Arms Treaty With Russia. An Arms Race Might Be Next." Alex Ward -- Vox, February 5, 2019

"Russia Pulls Out of INF Treaty in ‘Symmetrical’ Response to U.S. Move" Andrew Kramer, New York Times, February 2, 2019

"European Nuclear Powers Must Intervene in INF Treaty Situation, Expert Says" TASS Russia News Agency, February 1, 2019

"By Withdrawing From the INF Treaty, Trump Puts America in Grave Danger" Joel Matthis -- The Week, February 4, 2019

"U.S. Pulling Out of the INF Treaty Rewards Putin, Hurts NATO" Eliot Engel and Adam Smith -- CNN, February 1, 2019

U.S. Troop Withdrawals Debate

"Trump Is Stumbling His Way to a Vainglorious Middle East Retreat" David Ignatius -- RealClearPolitics, February 6, 2019

"'I Was Not Consulted.' Top U.S. General Left Out of Syria Withdrawal Decision" W.J. Hennigan -- Time, February 5, 2019

"‘Tired’ Taliban Fights on as U.S. Is Desperate to Leave Afghanistan" Bill Roggio -- Long War Journal, February 4, 2019

"Senate Rebukes Trump Over Troop Withdrawals From Syria and Afghanistan" Catie Edmondson -- New York Times, January 31, 2019

Trump-Kim Showdown Part II 

“Vietnam, and the Reasons It Might Host Second Trump-Kim Summit” Josh Doyle -- Al Jazeera, February 5, 2019

“Is Kim Jong un Really Ready to Make a Deal?” Eric Talmadge -- The Associated Press, February 6, 2019

“Japan's Stakes in Trump-Kim Talks” Mercy Kuo -- The Japan Times, February 5, 2019

“Are Sanctions Against North Korea Working? The Trump-Kim Summit May Depend on It” Victoria Kim -- Los Angeles Times, February 3, 2019

Venezuela’s Power Struggle 

“Venezuela and Great Power Competition” Frederick Kempe -- Atlantic Council, February 2, 2019

“Recognizing Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s Leader Isn’t a Coup. It’s an Embrace of Democracy” Irwin Cotler and Brandon Silver -- Foreign Policy, February 6, 2019

“Hope Rises in Venezuela’s Hunger-Driven Political Crisis” Magnus Boding Hansen -- IRIN, February 4, 2019

“Mexico’s New Neutrality in the Venezuela Crisis” Falko Ernst -- International Crisis Group, February 1, 2019

Will El Salvador’s New President Help? 

“Can El Salvador’s New President Fix What’s Driving Citizens Out?” Anna-Catherine Brigida -- Foreign Policy, February 4, 2019

“El Salvador Elects New President, Breaking Decades-Long Control by Two Parties” Sasha Ingber -- NPR, February 4, 2019

Brexit Uncertainty

“What Would a No-Deal Brexit Look Like?” Andrew Chatzky -- Council on Foreign Relations, January 31, 2019

“UK Access to Future European Defence-Research Funds: Another Brexit Uncertainty?” Lucie Béraud-Sudreau -- International Institute for Strategic Studies, January 31, 2019

“Brexit News: UK Economy at Risk of Going Into Reverse After Leaving European Union, Analysts Warn” Jonathan Prynn and Nicholas Cecil -- Evening Standard, February 5, 2019

Pope Francis Makes Waves

"The Significance of Pope Francis' UAE Visit Is Impossible to Exaggerate (Nobel Committee, Take Note)" Johnnie Moore -- Fox News, February 5, 2019

"Pope Francis Confirms Catholic Clergy Members Abused Nuns" Max Rosenthal and Michelle Boorstein -- Washington Post, February 5, 2019

"Pope Francis: Mediation in Venezuela Requires Willingness of Both Sides" Catholic News Agency, February 5, 2019

U.S. Shutdown Hurt More Than Just Americans 

“What Effect Did the U.S. Shutdown Have on Foreign Aid?” Samuel Oakford -- IRIN, January 31, 2019